When Helping Hurts

CHILD LABOUR

CHILD LABOUR WORKER LINE• Families on the right

• Recruiters on the left

• Children at the end…

DEBRIEF:

• What were some of the realities facing these children before they “chose” their jobs?

• What would you do if you were in the children’s situation?

• Given the circumstances many of these children face, is working such a bad thing?

WHAT IS IT, REALLY?According to the International Labour Organization (ILO):

3D JOBS

DIRTYDANGEROUSDEGRADING

CHILD LABOUR IN VIEW• Estimates suggest that, around the world, 215 million children (under 18) work full-time

• Estimates are VERY conservative as many children are undocumented and/or perform jobs that are “invisible”

• The ILO estimates that 1.2 million children are being trafficked worldwide for labour and sexual exploitation

• Most child labourers live and work in developing countries, however child workers are found globally

• In India alone, it is estimated that more than 60 million children work for a living

• Most children work in the agricultural sector

• Few child labourers earn a wage, most are family workers or are enslaved

• Many children are trafficked illegally or sold into slavery

• Globally, the incidence of child labour is decreasing, but only modestly, and not in Sub Saharan Africa, where it is actually increasing

• Not a new issue – See the ILO Timeline

• Why?

• POVERTY POVERTY POVERTY POVERTY POVERTY POVERTY POVERTY POVERTY

IT TAKES A CHILD• Watch the film and learn more about the 3D jobs that children perform around the world.

Complete the first set of questions on the handout It Takes A Child while you watch the film

CONNECTION TO DEVELOPMENT

• Human rights violation!

• Convention on the Rights of a Child

• Reinforces the intergenerational cycle of poverty

• Keeps children from education and achieving full social, physical, and psychological development

• Undermines national economies and impedes development

WHAT’S BEING DONE?• International Labour Organization (ILO)

• United Nations MDGs

On the ground and taking action…

• NGOs are often the lead stakeholders that are working in the field to directly improve the conditions under which children labour and to help with their escape from enslavement

• Complete your section of the Google Doc “Child Labour – What is being done” to learn more about what IS working!